Arabad

Arabads, or pit lizards, are large lizards found in the deserts of the Region of Sarra and western Aekor. They are a predatory species with a unique hunting method, creating pits in the sand and waiting for something to fall in, and then biting them and waiting for them to die to eat.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Arabads have golden brown scales, six short legs with flat, round toes. Their short stubby tail ends in light blue; it is short as to not get in the way while it tunnels its way into the ground and navigates its large underground network. They have short sharp teeth, which point backwards. The front 4 teeth can inject a deadly poison which paralyses and kills its victims that get trapped in the pits they create. They have 4 large eyes which help them to see in the dark.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Arabads are predatory lizards. They are carnivores, feeding on any creature that falls into its pits. The size of the creature does not matter as long as it can be bitten, the venom paralyses the prey allowing easy eating for the lizard.

Additional Information

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They are commonly found in the deserts of the Region of Sarra and western Aekor. They are native to Aekor, and it is believed that they travelled from there to the Region of Sarra on a boat, surviving by slowly eating the cabin crew. They rapidly bred due to the abundance of creatures, and are now a common sight.

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Their flat toes can detect vibrations coming from a certain direction. They use this to know when something falls in their pits and they can eat them. Their large eyes allow them to see in the dark, which is very beneficial.

Average Length

50 - 55cm

Geographic Distribution

• Aekor
• Greenerth
• Region of Sarra

The pits that the creatures create are just a few metres in diameter. They are a steep cone shape, roughly 3 or 4 metres deep. This is enough for a harmonid or other sapient people to escape, however small mammals, reptiles and flightless insects could not. The sand is coated in a saliva which is very sticky, and most creatures get trapped in it trying to climb out. Fortunately it is not strong enough for a person to get trapped in it, and is just an inconvenience. The saliva leaves an unfortunate smell for days, even if it is washed off.

The saliva of an arabad is popular on the black market. It is surprisingly difficult to obtain, as it evaporates in the cold quicker than you can say "Tuisnisbkybattemot". Special heat containers are made to collect the arabad saliva.
It is used in special potions and elixirs, and you can earn a lot of money if you sell these to the right mages.